The Effects of Manure, Lime and P Fertilizer on N Uptake and Yields of Soybean （Glycine max （L.） Merrill） in the Central Highlands of Kenya

Soybean （Glycine max （L.）） is one of the most important legume crops being introduced in the CHK （Central Highlands of Kenya） expected to increase yields. However, low levels of soil N （nitrogen） and other plant nutrients and soil acidity are seen as the major causes impairing goal achievement. To evaluate the influence of manure, lime, P （phosphorus） fertilizer and their combination on N uptake and soybean performance, an experiment was conducted in Embu ATC （Agricultural Training College） comprising 9 treatments, arranged in a Randomized Complete Block Design with 4 replicates in plots of 4 m×4.5 m. The study included manure （0, 5 and 10 t-ha-1）, lime （0 and 2 t.ha-1） and P fertilizer （0, 30 and 60 kg.P.hal）. The treatments significantly influenced N uptake and soybean yields. Both parameters responded well to application of manure both alone or combined to lime and TSP （triple super phosphate）. From these it was concluded that organic and inorganic resources have potential to enhance N uptake and soybean and other crops yields in CHK.

Effects of N,P and K Fertilizers on Growth of Clover Nitrogen-fixing Rhizobia and Soil Fertility after Plantation

In order to develop organic rice and increase paddy soil fertility by cloverorganic rice rotation, the effects of N, P and K fertilizers on growth of clover nitrogen-fixing rhizobia and soil fertility after plantation were investigated, thereby providing certain reference for reasonable cultivation of clover and improvement of soil fertility. A two-year experiment was conducted from 2012 to 2013. The clover was cultivated after rice every year, and different levels of N, P and K fertilizers were applied before winter. In the treatment group, no fertilizer was applied. The effects of different fertilizers and different application amounts on clover yield, nitrogen-fixing rhizobia quantity, nitrogen-fixing rhizobia weight and soil fertility after plantation were analyzed. The results showed that the application of N, P and K fertilizers in the early stage had significantly effect on the growth of clover. When the application amount of N fertilizer was 75 kg/hm^2（N 46%）, the clover yield, nitrogen-fixing rhizobia quantity and nitrogen-fixing rhizobia weight were highest. The soil nitrogen content after plantation increased with the increase of the application amount of N fertilizer, while the P and K content decreased and then increased with the increased application amounts. Soil available P content increased with the increased application amounts of N and P fertilizers, but it did not change significantly with the increased application amount of K fertilizer. Soil available K content increased first and then decreased with the increased application amounts of N and P fertilizers.When the application amounts of N and P fertilizers were 150（N 46%） and 300（P_2O_5 12%） kg/hm^2, soil available K content reached the maximum. Soil organic matter content increased with the increased application amounts of N, P and K fertilizers. Therefore, in the cultivation of clover, appropriate application of N, P and K fertilizers in the early stage can improve clover yield and soil fertility.

Effects of Phosphate and Lime Application on Growth of Trifolium repens,Chamaecrista rotundifolia and Macroptilium atropurpureum in Red Soils

[Objective] The aim was to research effects of P fertilizer and lime on growth of Trrifolium repens, Chamaecrista rotundifolia and Macroptilium atropur- pureum, to provide references for cultivation of the three plants. [Method] Pot experiments were conducted with Trrifolium repens, Charnaecrista rotundifolia and Macroptilium atropurpureum in 2010 in order to research effects of lime and P fer-tilizer mixture on growth of the plants in southern hilly acidic red soils. [Result] With lime amount fixed, application of P fertilizer would enhance plant height, total tiller number and dry matter. When P fertilizer was not applied, however, plant height of the three plants achieved the peak by lime at 1.4 g/kg which proved best for improvement of acidity of red soils. With P fertilizer at 200 mg/kg was applied, biomass of Trifolium repens and Macroptilium atropurpureum achieved the highest by lime at 2.1 g/kg, but total biomass of Chamaecrista rotundifolia was the highest by lime at 1.4 g/kg. [Conclusion] The research provides references for planting and production of Trifolium repens, Chamaecrista rotundifolia and Macroptilium atropur-pureum in southern hilly regions.

Effects of Nitrogen,Phosphorus and Potassium Application on Growth and Dry Matter Accumulation in Mulberry

In this paper, the effect of different fertilizer treatments on the main indexes of growth and development and dry matter accumulation of perennial mulberry, which is cut and pruned in summer, were studied with ‘3414’ field experiment design. The results showed that N, P, and K at proper amounts could promote mulberry growth and development, improve its dry matter content, increase its dry matter accumulation. The effects of N, P, K on leaf yield per plant were respectively expressed as follows： N2 N3 N1 N0 , P2 P1 P3 P0 , K2 K1 K3 K0 . It can be concluded that the recommended fertilizer amounts of dry matter accumulations in mulberry leaf were 694.36 kg/hm2 of N, 198.15 kg/hm2 of P, and 274.26 kg/hm2 of K and the dry matter achieved the maximum at 8 045.04 kg/hm2 . The recommended fertilizer amounts of accumulated dry matter in branch were 1 000.05 kg/hm2 of N, 242.04 kg/hm2 of P, and 218.01 kg/hm 2 of K, and the dry matter achieved the maximum at 5 969.05 kg/hm2 . The recommended fertilizer amount in young shoots were 883.76 kg/hm2 of N, 204.48 kg/hm2 of P and 426.59 kg/hm2 of K and dry matter achieved the maximum at 1 410.24 kg/hm2 . This paper could provide reference for the construction of highly-qualified mulberry field in Sichuan hilly area.

Response of Tomato on Calcareous Soils to Different Seedbed Phosphorus Application Rates

Field experiments were conducted with five rates （0, 75, 150, 225, and 450 kg P205 ha^-1） of seedbed P fertilizer application to investigate the yield of tomato in response to fertilizer P rate on calcareous soils with widely different levels of Olsen P （13-142 mg kg^-1） at 15 sites in some suburban counties of Beijing in 1999. Under the condition of no P fertilizer application, tomato yield generally increased with an increase in soil test P levels, and the agronomic level for soil testing P measured with Olsen method was 50 or 82 mg kg^-1 soil to achieve 85% or 95% of maximum tomato yield, respectively. With regard to marketable yield, in the fields where Olsen-P levels were 〈 50 mg kg^-1, noticeable responses to applied P were observed. On the basis of a linear plateau regression, the optimum seedbed P application rate in the P-insufflcient fields was 125 kg P205 ha^-1 or about 1.5-2 times the P removal from harvested tomato plants. In contrast, in fields with moderate （50 〈 Olsen P 〈 90 mg kg^-1） or high （Olsen P 〉 90 mg kg^-1） available P, there was no marked effect on tomato fruit yield. Field survey data indicated that in most fields with conventional P management, a P surplus typically occurred. Thus, once the soil test P level reached the optimum for crop yield, it was recommended that P fertilizer application be restricted or eliminated to minimize negative environmental effects.

Vesicular Arbuscular Mycorrhizae-Mediated Uptake and Thanslocation of P and Zn by Wheat in Calcareous Soil

Vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) fungi have been credited with improving the groWth and mineral nutrition of many host plants but these effects are moderated by soil factors and nutrient balance. The combined effects of VAM, Zn and P application on the growth and translocation of nutrients in wheat were investigated using a calcareous soil marginal in P and Zn concentrations. Wheat was grown in a growth chamber under various combinations of VAM, P and Zn with measurements done at heading stage and maturity.Vegetative dry matter accumulation was increased by P application and reduced by VAM treatments. Both P and VAM increased grain yield. Zinc concentration and uptake were generally reduced by P addition and VAM infection. There were no antagonistic effects of Zn on P acquisition in the plant. The role of VAM in enhancing the translocation of Zn and P from root to grain would be beneficial to seed setting and yield.

Soil phosphorus dynamic, balance and critical P values in longterm fertilization experiment in Taihu Lake region, China

Phosphorus（P） is an important macronutrient for plant but can also cause potential environmental risk. In this paper, we studied the long-term fertilizer experiment（started 1980） to assess the soil P dynamic, balance, critical P value and the crop yield response in Taihu Lake region, China. To avoid the effect of nitrogen（N） and potassium（K）, only the following treatments were chosen for subsequent discussion, including： C0（control treatment without any fertilizer or organic manure）, CNK treatment（mineral N and K only）, CNPK（balanced fertilization with mineral N, P and K）, MNK（integrated organic manure and mineral N and K）, and MNPK（organic manure plus balanced fertilization）. The results revealed that the response of wheat yield was more sensitive than rice, and no significant differences of crop yield had been detected among MNK, CNPK and MNPK until 2013. Dynamic and balance of soil total P（TP） and Olsen-P showed soil TP pool was enlarged significantly over consistent fertilization. However, the diminishing marginal utility of soil Olsen-P was also found, indicating that high-level P application in the present condition could not increase soil Olsen-P contents anymore. Linear-linear and Mitscherlich models were used to estimate the critical value of Olsen-P for crops. The average critical P value for rice and wheat was 3.40 and 4.08 mg kg^（–1）, respectively. The smaller critical P value than in uplands indicated a stronger ability of P supply for crops in this paddy soil. We concluded that no more mineral P should be applied in rice-wheat system in Taihu Lake region if soil Olsen-P is higher than the critical P value. The agricultural technique and management referring to activate the plant-available P pool are also considerable, such as integrated use of low-P organic manure with mineral N and K.

Sheep manure application increases soil exchangeable base cations in a semi-arid steppe of Inner Mongolia

The long-term productivity of a soil is greatly influenced by cation exchange capacity（CEC）.Moreover,interactions between dominant base cations and other nutrients are important for the health and stability of grassland ecosystems.Soil exchangeable base cations and cation ratios were examined in a 11-year experiment with sheep manure application rates 0–1,500 g/（m2？a） in a semi-arid steppe in Inner Mongolia of China,aiming to clarify the relationships of base cations with soil p H,buffer capacity and fertility.Results showed that CEC and contents of exchangeable calcium（Ca2＋）,magnesium（Mg2＋）,potassium（K＋） and sodium（Na＋） were significantly increased,and Ca2＋ saturation tended to decrease,while K＋ saturation tended to increase with the increases of sheep manure application rates.The Ca2＋/Mg2＋ and Ca2＋/K＋ ratios decreased,while Mg2＋,K＋ and Na＋ saturations increased with increasing manure application rates.Both base cations and CEC were significantly and positively correlated with soil organic carbon（SOC） and soil p H.The increases of SOC and soil p H would be the dominant factors that contribute to the increase of cations in soil.On a comparison with the initial soil p H before the experiment,we deduced that sheep manure application could partly buffer soil p H decrease potentially induced by atmospheric deposition of nitrogen and sulfur.Our results indicate that sheep manure application is beneficial to the maintenance of base cations and the buffering of soil acidification,and therefore can improve soil fertility in the semi-arid steppes of northeastern China.

Cadmium pollution from phosphate fertilizers in arable soils and crops:an overview

The application of mineral and organic phosphorus fertilizers to arable land has greatly increased crop yield to meet the world food demand.On the other hand,impurities in these fertilizers,such as heavy metals,are being added to agricultural soils,resulting both from the raw materials themselves and the processes used to obtain the final product.Cadmium,a non-essential and toxic heavy metal,has been found in relatively high amounts in common P fertilizers obtained from sediments.This metal poses a high risk for soil fertility,crop cultivation,and plants in general.Furthermore,human health might be compromised by the cadmium concentrations in agricultural and livestock products,due to the bioaccumulation effect in the food web.The accumulation in the different matrixes is the result of the high mobility and flexible availability of this harmful metal.This review summarizes risks to human health,the factors influencing cadmium movement in soils and crop uptake,as well as common plant responses to its toxicity.In addition,it summarizes cadmium balances in soils,trends,long-term experiments,and further studies.Cadmium inputs and outputs in arable soil,together with their calculated concentrations,are compared between two different regions:the European countries(in particular Germany)and China.The comparison appears useful because of the different proportions in the inputs and outputs of cadmium,and the diverse geographical,environmental and social factors.Moreover,these variables and their influences on cadmium contamination improve the understanding of the pollution from phosphate fertilizers and will help to establish future mitigation policies.

High variation of fungal communities and associated potential plant pathogens induced by long-term addition of N fertilizers rather than P, K fertilizers: A case study in a Mollisol field

Nitrogen(N),phosphate(P),and potassium(K)are the three most important nutrients applied into agricultural soils,but the impacts of their single or combined application on soil fungal community structure and stability are still open questions.Using qPCR and Illumina Miseq sequencing,the variation of soil fungal communities in response to long-term addition of N,P,or K fertilization alone and their combinations in a Mollisol field was investigated in this study.In addition,the fungal community resistance indices and network structure were studied.Results showed that N fertilizations(N,NK,NP and NPK treatments)rather than P,K fertilizations(P,K and PK treatments)significantly increased fungal abundance,but decreased fungal diversity and shifted fungal community structures when compared to non-fertilization(NoF).Additionally,N fertilization treatments presented lower resistance of fungal communities to environment disturbances than those of P,K fertilization treatments.More numbers and higher abundances of changed fungal taxa at the genus and OTU levels were induced by N fertilizations rather than by addition of P,K fertilizers.In addition,N fertilizations induced a more changeable fungal network and complex pathogenic subnetwork with many positive interactions among responding plant pathogens(RP,the changeable plant pathogens induced by fertilizers addition compared to NoF)when compared to P,K fertilizations.These RP directly and negatively influenced fungal community resistance examined by structural equation modeling(SEM),which were indirectly detrimental to soybean yields.Our findings revealed that addition of N fertilizers significantly disturbed fungal communities and promoted pathogenic interactions,and provided insights into the optimization of fertilization strategies toward agricultural sustainability.

Impacts of chicken manure and peat-derived biochars and inorganic P alone or in combination on phosphorus fractionation and maize growth in an acidic ultisol

The forms of phosphorus(P)in animal manure and peat are different from synthetic P fertilizers and will affect soil P fractions when they are used as P amendments.Effects of chicken manure(CMB)and peat(PB)derived biochars(CMB and PB)alone or in combination with P fertilizer(KH_(2)PO_(4))and rock phosphate(RP)on plant/soil health and soil P fractions in an acidic ultisol were examined with greenhouse pot experiments.The total P rate was constant at 120 mg kg^(−1) in all treatments.Soil P fractions,P uptake,and maize growth were determined after 56 days.Application of CMB combined with P fertilizer or alone significantly increased soil pH,water extractable and relatively labile P,dry matter yield of maize,chlorophyll contents in maize leaves,while decreasing the Fe and Al binding P.Moreover,sole application of CMB and PB showed greater effects than application of P fertilizer alone regarding plant growth and P fractionation.Integration of syn-thetic inorganic P sources with CMB or sole application of CMB is more beneficial than application of inorganic P sources to improve plant growth and P availability.